The 2017 Big Bang! Open is set for the weekend of July 21-23, 2017. We are returning to that same wonderful new venue as last year - the Moose Lodge in Palm Beach Gardens which is very close to I95 and the Florida Turnpike.

The registration process will start soon, but in the meantime, weighmaster Captain Randy Docks, MC Captain Billy Black and I have been revising the rules which are attached in DRAFT form. Please take a look at them and give us your comments and questions by posting in this thread.

The main change compared to last year is requiring the Palm Beach County Weigh-in Site new Regulations on Barracuda as your Wild Card Fish:

WILD CARD CATEGORY – This category is designed to level the playing field due to grouper and snapper closures in various regions. Your wild card fish can be a Barracuda between 15 inches and 36 inches and NOT LARGER (See Size and Vessel Limits above at Palm Beach County Weigh-In Site) or any fish now eligible in the above categories except you may weigh in only one gag grouper or black grouper total in order to comply with the East Coast possession limit where the weigh-in is located. West Coast Registered Shooters have a maximum number of two Barracuda that can be weighed in for all categories and East Coast Registered Shooters have a maximum number of one barracuda as the Wild Card Fish. However, in lieu of Barracuda, the species Permit or Pompano may be weighed in the Cobia or Jacks Category for West Coast Registered Shooters and may be weighed in only in the Wild Card Category for East Coast Registered Shooters. Contestants who weigh in barracuda (or any other fish) have the option of donating them to scientists for research.

The BBO with its aggregate scoring model (as opposed to a big fish scoring model) has always been about fishing strategy over large fish access. Therefore, you will be challenged to adjust your dive plans to consider the new regulations on barracuda.

Looks great Tony! As stated, we are asking for your input regarding the rule changes listed above. Each year, as the regulations get more stringent, we have to find more ways to keep the playing field even for all competitors. That's what makes this aggregate style tournament so much fun for everyone! So please let us know what you think of these changes (not what you think about those who made them!! lol). All constructive input will be reviewed, and as soon as the rules become finalized, we will be opening up the registration page.

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See that? Steady as a rock... but THIS is my shootin' hand!!

Looks great Tony! As stated, we are asking for your input regarding the rule changes listed above. Each year, as the regulations get more stringent, we have to find more ways to keep the playing field even for all competitors. That's what makes this aggregate style tournament so much fun for everyone! So please let us know what you think of these changes (not what you think about those who made them!! lol). All constructive input will be reviewed, and as soon as the rules become finalized, we will be opening up the registration page.

Yes Randy. I think we should finalize these rules this week and open up the Registration right away. Thanks for all your excellent Weigh-Master work over the years! Tony

The BBO Rules committee would like your input on a proposal to simplify the rules by eliminating the East Coast and West Coast declaration which I have pasted below.

If this rule change is made, shooters could hunt on either coast on either day (Friday or Saturday).

We would also extend the 2 barracuda allowed for West Coast Shooters to all shooters because the coastal declaration would not apply and since the barracuda donations go to the good cause of marine research efforts at the Bimini Shark Lab and elsewhere. The new barracuda rules (15-36 inch slot size) impacts a shooter's ability to get 20 points for barracuda at the BBO in Palm Beach County where the Weigh-in possession limits will apply. Obviously, shooters must comply with all the harvest rules where they shoot on either coast.

Thx Harald, looking forward to seeing you again at the weigh in and party! Just a reminder to everyone that input is welcome, but we would like to finalize the rules ASAP in order to open up the registration process. Please don't wait if you would like to add or suggest changes.

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See that? Steady as a rock... but THIS is my shootin' hand!!

Just a reminder to everyone that input is welcome, but we would like to finalize the rules ASAP in order to open up the registration process. Please don't wait if you would like to add or suggest changes.

As Randy says, give us feedback.

Check out the REVISED Rules attached here and in post #1 which is the newer 5-24-17 version which eliminate the coastal declaration and better defines Permit and Pompano regulations.

Seadaze, the reason for omitting the 1 cuda over 36" is to maintain fairness for all shooter, both individually and per boat. Say I dive first, and pop a big cuda. That automatically locks out every other shooter on board for the rest of the day. If I get another 1 on day 2, then my team mates have no chance if being competitive. Thus is why we're limiting the cuda to the smaller limits, for every competitor. Hope this helps to clarify a bit...

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See that? Steady as a rock... but THIS is my shootin' hand!!